Fox & Aronofsky Claw In On 'Wolverine 2'?

UPDATE: Don’t dress just yet for the Darren Aronofsky-directed Wolverine 2. There is outside competition for his next slot, including the Will Beall-scripted period crime story Gangster Squad at Warner Bros.

EARLIER: I’m told that 20th Century Fox has begun talks with Darren Aronofsky for X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2. Deadline revealed back on August 31st that Aronofsky and David Slade were the chief competitors for the job. Aronofsky and Hugh Jackman already have a close relationship after they made The Fountain, and Aronofsky recently met with Fox chief Tom Rothman seeking the kind of creative control he’s accustomed to. There was a lull in the talks when Aronofsky briefly flirted with directing Superman, but that job went to Zack Snyder. Meanwhile, Darren has developed some serious heat off festival showings of Black Swan. I’m not sure if he’s going to do Wolverine 2, but it’s his job if he wants it — and they are talking.

Despite the feeling that the first Wolverine was far from perfect, there is excitement about the next installment because of the script turned in by Oscar-winning Usual Suspects scribe Christopher McQuarrie. Jackman has been quoted as calling it the best script he’s seen in the whole X-Men series.

45 Comments

I don’t know if Darren can handle this material. The bar was set pretty high on the first Wolverine. Perhaps one of the few perfect films to ever come out of Hollywood.

Tom • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Well said. Wolverine 2 would be a huge waste of Aronofsky’s talents, even if it’s only half as retarded as the first film.

dudette • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

you’re kidding right? the film was unremarkable and faded fast. the film made 179M domestic and about 193M international and cost 150M to make. it dropped 75% after it’s first week. and the casting of the guy from the black eyed peas was a huge mistake. but at least he dies in the first movie.

Anonymous • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Yes, he was kidding…

The.Watcher • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

What is it about Sarcasm that you people don’t understand?

No One of Consequence • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

It is a sad day when an “autuer” like Aronofsky signs on for what would be the 5th sequel in an action franchise. I am sure he’ll do great with it and I know the film will be better for it, but come on, Aronofsky following Gavin Hood?

Stay tuned for news PT Anderson will be directing the next Mortal Kombat film.

mike • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Actually, I think these blockbusters need more guys like Aronofsky and Nolan. Otherwise, we’ll keep getting mediocre movies every summer.

It can be done badly. However, like any creative medium, when it succeeds, it succeeds. This art form is now mainstream, or have you not noticed? Spider-man, Batman, The Hulk, etc.

You’re out of touch suggesting this guy needs a girlfriend. That’s no more sensible than telling your work mates to quit geeking out on “Heroes” or “Battlestar: Galactica”.

What I hope the poster does is create his own comic, or somehow channel that knowledge and love of artform into his own unique expression.

Peace

Kabbe • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

you must be the same lunatic nerd who posts these ideas on EVERY major forum.
get a life, get a GF!

OREGONtrees • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Omega Red would certainly be interesting.

Bystander • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Something tells me this is two things: one, Darren wants a sizable paycheck for once in his career, and two, Hugh talking about doing “Wolverine in Japan” has got Darren wanting to scratch his Lone Wolf And Cub itch.

I’d laugh my ass off if he took the job and actually didn’t change his current style trend at all, and we ended up with a $100+ million blockbuster project shot on 16mm.

roddymartindale • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

I don’t like it either, but if it means he gets the juice to do more Black Swans and Wrestlers, I’ll put up with it.

Bryan Kirckof • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

This could be the shot in the arm this franchise needs after the original film disappointed in every way imaginable. Honestly, the workprint that leaked on April Fools Day was more interesting to watch then the finished product. At least when watching that workprint I was afforded some insight on how films are made.

Aronofsky is coming off of, arguably, the best movie of his career in The Wrestler and we’ve heard nothing but raves about Black Swan. The question I’m asking is; If Aronofsky was able to resurrect the career of Mickey Rourke why couldn’t he pull Wolverine out of mediocracy? He took Rourke, whose career was practically dead in the water, and brought him back to the promise land overnight. And even thought he is unproven when it comes to directing action it would be reassuring to know that this film is in the hands of a director who understands that without an engaging story and relatable characters the audience has no reason to care about the explosions.

If I was 20th Century Fox I’d do just about anything to get Darren onboard here. I’d hand over the keys to creative control, pay him whatever, I’d let him re-write the script however he saw fit, and, hell, I’d let him re-cast Hugh Jackman if he felt the need to because he is, without a doubt, the most talented director that will ever consider directing this movie. He is the best it’s going to get for this movie and Fox must realize this.

Zach • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Dude, get over Aronofsky. Have you watched “The Fountain?” Nuff said.

The.Watcher • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

What are you talking about, fool?
Fountain was a masterpiece.

John English • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

I agree that I’d rather have a talented guy like Darren take on a blockbuster sequel than some by-the-numbers guy. Plus Hugh & Darren have already worked together. I’d be actually intrigued by this movie.

Brock Peters • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

I guess all Hollywood producers want their “Nolan” to produce the next “Dark Knight”. Seems that way. Well, as long as Aronofsky makes a good movie and financing for his own projects it would be a good idea. I just hope the lure of money doesn’t stray him from the path of making actually great movies.

Ron • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Aronofsky has great affection for the genre. He collects comic art and in fact, an art dealer I buy from appeared in The Wrestler. I did a double-take when I saw the film. I ran into that dealer at Comic Con last summer and he confirmed that Aronofsky is a huge comic fan.

Dakar • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Guys. Gals. Is anyone going to consider giving this the benefit of little to no doubt? If I’m not mistaken, the script that’s earned all of this attention is by Christopher McQuarrie and, by all accounts, a “reboot” of the franchise without switching out the lead actor. The word I’ve heard is that the screenplay is astonishingly good…considering the inescapable fact that it’s still about a guy who sprouts whaddayacallits out of his knuckles.

It all starts with the words on the page, right?

halfmadjesus • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Sounds reasonable, and I hope you’re right. With McQuarrie, Aronofsky and Jackman, it’s a great potential line up of talent. Would be nice to see a quality X-Men movie come about from this.

The ‘Origins’ pic was not entirely god-awful, just pretty underwhelming. I did like the casting of Liev Schreiber, and his interactions with Jackman. Wouldn’t mind seeing him also return.

I assume the only reason they are making is this is so rights don’t revert back to Marvel/Disney.

john marzan • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

as long as the movie ends up with a PG-13 rating, he’ll have all the creative control he wants.

Felcho • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

It doesn’t surprise me that Aronofsky would be considering it. McQuarrie’s script for this may be one of the best things he’s ever written.

Hope yet for Wolvie • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

The first Wolverine was laughable garbage. Darren could really elevate the franchise and more deeply explore the character while still bringing the right amount of action and conflict. I say go Darren.

The Wrestlesser • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

He should absolutely do it and recast Hugh Jackman although I’m sure Hugh is locked to this like his “marriage.” From an audience standpoint, nobody cares about Hugh Jackman these days and he can’t open a movie on his own. In fact, he never has so why not step down? Find someone new and get gritty with it! Oh yeah, I know it’s not possible, but if Aronofsky could take over the movie and replace the studio that would definitely help. Fox is where creativity goes to die (unless of course you’re Cameron and can do anything you want without the talentless development execs over there saying anything).

Yorick • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Considering that Aronofsky worked with Hugh on The Fountain to good results, it’s likely that he’ll want to keep him.

mamaleh • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

There’s a growing trend in Hollywood indicating that “names” by and large do not “open” movies anymore–it’s the property itself. Hugh Jackman is multi-talented and has millions of ardent fans around the world who are happy to see him in just about anything, all the more if the product is good. And with a visionary such as Aronofsky–whose breathtaking FOUNTAIN I still think is the best thing he’s ever done–the quality quotient on a WOLVERINE sequel can only go up. No other actor know what makes Wolvie tick as Hugh does. The idea of recasting at this juncture is ill-considered if not downright ludicrous.

J DOllA • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

What trend is this? Inception. With Leo Dicaprio is a name. You put Joseph Gordon Levitt in the lead role and that film is not making 800 mill worldwide. The Expendables. With all the rehash Names from eighties action movies did well. While Scott Pilgrim, Let Me in, and other quality movies with no NAMES made squat at the box office. The more successful movies have NAMES in them.

Movies like AVATAR and THE DARK KNIGHT the highest grossing movies of all time had NAMES too. The names in those films were their Directors. THE DARK KNIGHT also had the morbid attraction of Heath Ledger months after he past away. Another NAME. The general public is pulled in by NAMES. Hollywood is pushing this idea so they don’t have to pay these stars twenty million.

A Sherlock Holmes movie with Matthew Goode and Tom Hardy will always make a few 100 million less than one with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.

Peggy • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Ugh, It hurts my heart when an artist has to make lowbrow crap. But I guess that’s capitalism for you.

linus • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

that would be awesome!
lo-fi / hi-fi

Neverender • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Daren is the only hope this movie has. He’s definitely most well suited for this character. Make it happen and give him full creative control. Oh yeah, and make sure to retcon the first film out of memory like an adamantium bullet. ; )

droptoabop • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Fox is way to controlling to let Aronofsky to do what he wants with Wolverine. They’re more protective about their tent pole movies then their smaller films. Plus, they like to have all their X-Men films looks the same no matter what–and I can’t imagine Aronofsky wants his film to look like it was made by Brian Singer or Bret Ratner.

Captain Awesome • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

Studio Honcho–

are you smoking crack? Wolverine was absolutely horrible. The writing was inept and the film beyond sucked.

Kabbe • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

HE WAS KIDDIN DUMB****

Jhernandez89 • on Oct 6, 2010 9:18 am

honestly if its nothing like the first Wolverine movie, i’ll be happy.